For information please call (828) 448-6410

Do you have a ticket?

You are eligible for the Defensive Driving Program if your citation is for one of the following:

City Code Violations

Exceeding a safe speed

No child restraint

Driving left of center

Speeding- 15 mph or less over speed limit

Leaving vehicle unattended

Speed less than minimum

Too fast for conditions

Crossing median

Any equipment violation

Failure to stop for RR warning

Driving without two headlights

Stop sign violation

Failing to dim headlights

Failing to burn headlamps

Unsafe movement

Exceeding posted speed limit

Failing to reduce speed

Improper use of traffic lane

Wrong way on one-way road

Overloading violations

Red light violation

Failing to give turn signal

Failing to yield right-of-way

NO Insurance Points and NO Drivers License Points

If you have been charged with a minor violation in the 25th Judicial District, you may elect to have it reduced by the District Attorney, David Learner, by completing a 4-hour defensive driving course! This course is offered through Western Piedmont Community College and the Safety and Health Council of North Carolina to train motorists in the principles of defensive driving. If this course is completed and the information presented to the Clerk of Court’s office for payment, no later than five (5) working days before your scheduled court date, there will be NO Insurance Points, NO Drivers License Points and NO Court Appearance.

In order to take advantage of this opportunity you MUST:

Have written permission from the DA to take the class if you were speeding more than 15 mph over the speed limit, if you were speeding in a work or school zone, if you were driving over 80 mph, or you have taken the class in the last three years.

Pay $50.00 for the cost of administering and teaching the Defensive Driving Course (cash or money order made payable to Western Piedmont Community College.

Complete the four-hour Defensive Driving Course at least five working days before your court date.

Enter into a written Plea Agreement and plead guilty to driving with improper equipment.

Provide proof of course completion.

Pay all applicable court costs and fines (five (5) days before your scheduled court date) to the Clerk of Court in the county in which you received your citation.

You are NOT eligible and you CANNOT take advantage of the program if:

Your charge is not listed above, OR

Your court date has passed, OR

You have taken the course in the previous 3 years OR

You have paid your citation prior to class, OR

You have been convicted of a violation carrying 4 points or more in the past three years, OR

You have accumulated 5 points or more in the past 3 yrs

If You Have Been Involved In An Accident:

If you are between the ages of 16 and 21, you are required to take the class. The District Attorney requires a letter from your insurance company as well. Please bring this insurance letter with you to register so that all required paperwork is together upon completion of the class.

If you are age 22 or older, you are not required to take the class. Please contact your insurance company for questions regarding how your ticket may affect your insurance premiums.

You will need the following to register:

Your traffic citation

Your drivers license

$50.00 cash (please bring correct change) or money order made payable to Western Piedmont Community College. This is a self-supporting class and registration fees are non-refundable.

Class Location & Times

Classes are held on Wednesday evenings from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. and on Saturday mornings from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at the Foothills Higher Education Center [map], located at 2128 South Sterling Street in Morganton.